Temperature regulating apparatus for internal-combustion engines



Nov. ll, 1952 c M, B c us 2,617,399

TEMPERATURE REGULATING APPARTUS FOR' INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed NOV. 2, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l /NVENT /a CHARLES M. Bac/(us w BY 'LS` HTTORNEYS,

HA RIP/3, K zcM FOSTI? &HA/?ma Y C. M. BACKUS Nov. 11, 1952 TEMPERATURE REGULATING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov.' 2. 1949 /N VENTOR. CHARLES M. Bac/ws 5) H/S ATTORNEKS. K/ECH, For? 6; HARRs HA RR/S, 6 Y &K/D

Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED srA rr es TEMPERATURE* REGULATING APP RAT E Fon` INTERN-AL-COMBUSTION ENGINEs a' This invention relates to heaters and&more' particular1y,- 'to a 'heater adapted to be utilized in conjunction with an internahcombustion engine for maintai-ning the temperature& of the coolant andlubricant used insaid-engi-ne ator 5 above a predeterminednorm:

One of -the greatest-,difficulties encountered in usingvehicles equip'ped-with internal-combustion enginesunder below -freezing temperature conditions is the factthatthecoolants*ancilubricants used -in such engines f-reeze or become`-excessi-'vely viscous during the period -when the vehicles are inactive and -are exposedto freezing= tempera tures. The -frezing of the coolant--in-the cooling system of vehicular internal comb'ustion engines is -a -phenomenon `'frequently -encount-ered When automobiles, particularly; areexposed to below j freezing temperatures for i prolonged perio'ds 'of time, asat night, or when parkedin exposed loca tions; The freezing'ofthe coolant in the-coo1in`g`1' system of internal 'combustionwngines makes'- them-very difficult *to start 'and --'prevents'-the,'`^ proper operationof the cooling system fora conr' siderable-t-meafter the engine -has' 'been started" W resulting, n boi1ingand steaming -and 'impropen' v cooling' of theenginen Whewtemperatures are'` encountered which 'are low-enough to' render'th' lubricant used inthe lubricating ys"tem" of fin*- ternal combustion ;engines exceedingly viscou sy" that is, viscous to such 'extent that' the're is a 3 resistanceto free fiow ofthe lubricant'through?` the lubricating' system *of the engine, 'such: re-` sistance to flowresults in improper lubrication'of the engine' during theinitialrrunning of 'the' engineand frequentlyresults in burnedtout'bear; .1

ings andthe failure'of portion-s' of theengine"-^ which are customarily lubricatedby thei'lubria j cant;

It'is, therefore, a primary object:of my' inven f ton to provide a heater for the 'engine-Offa ve-4o hicle which y is designed to 'maintain the coolant inthe' cooling' system of the-:engine at or'above* `a predetermined temperature 'when the'engin'e" is exposed to below freezing-temperatur'es; Itjis an associated object of my *inventio'n to "provide "a heater for a vehicular'engine Whi'ch'is designed to maintain 'the' lubric'ating fluid in the" luloric'ating"' system of the'engine *at a predetermined tempera'-"" turewhen the-engine -is exposed to temperatures"' which wouldrender the 'lubrica'ting `fluid' exc'eed'- '750 ingly viscous,

Inorder to properly'illustrate'the construction and-mode of operation of my inventioh;'it will'b'e described as embodied'in the'internalcombustion"' ected to extremely low*temperatures come and deenergized by a control circuit'emhodi cternal comlustinengines `which'include'she cooled radia" enginesconventionally utilizd aircraft since the -lubricant used' in 'such' ngines' tends a to become 'almost solid:: whenz'such aire'r'afi are used .in areas* where their" engines are sub' tionally, such `engines must be heatedby the of-externally applied beat 'for'long ermasa: pr ior to'taking v 'ofi By th'e n eci-my invefition the temperature of the engine an bmamtaned i at a predetermined norf'duri'ng'the' *inactivtfof the' aircraft and immediate': i-akeoffs are" th''s rendered possible. t

A further 'object o in'y inventiomis the' pr' vision of a temperature reguat ng apparatus 'o theeooling and lubricatingsystin's of anntern combustion engine which can: he 'i olii'ritrily r ergizedwhen'the vehicle in which the ""en'gi"n'e` embodied is exp'os'ed to" below frezir'g ter np atu'res for prolo'riged-*periods of nmend-: emen can be'voluntarilydeeiiergized during the activity V of thvehicl'e unlesth temperature s' 'irr'W1'}h the' vehi'cle' 'is Operating' are so low that the'hea ing -of the fluds in the cooling and lubricatin systems'is necessary! y Another obj ect of my' inventior' is the 'rv" 'on of a temperature' regulating appa-ratu *of th' aforementioned type d which" can ?be eneriz voluntarily and which, subsequent to such'volun tary energizatiom will be automatically enefgize An 'additional' object of* my "invntiri is th' proi isionlof a temperature regtilating apprt for the cooling and *l'ubricatiig "syterrs'*of means and control "cir`u`i't= mea or i' the operatin of said heater 'means variations of the't erhperat ures f-t' in'the cooling and lularicatirg'systi' sociated object' 'of: my; invention the' pryis'jon in .the control eirc uit'of 'automatic control m responsive to ternbraturevaria ris' i nwa'r portionsof the -heatr'and 'gls-res peraturevariations in the? coolfait engin'e'of an' automo'bile'but it 'is 'not 'ntenddS m-"the cooling'and hiIiricatingsystn A further object of my invention is the provision of a temperature regulating apparatus for the cooling and lubricating systems of an internal combustion engine which includes a control means for energizing and deenergizing the apparatus automatically in response to temperature variations in the fiuid used in the cooling system of the engine.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a temperature regulating apparatus for the cooling and lubricating systems of an internal combustion engine which include a heater provided with electrically energizable igniter means and with fuel supply means adapted to supply fuel to said heater, said fuel supply means being energizable 'by the action of a control means which is responsve to temperature variations in said igniter and which energizes said fuel supply means when said igniter reaches a predetermined temperature.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which incorporates a first igniter adapted to initiate the combustion cycle in the heater and a second igniter adapted to carry on the combustion cycle afterthe fi st igniter is extinguished. An associatel object of my invention is the provision. of a control means responsive to the temperature of the second igniter adapted to automatically extinguish the first igniter when the second igniter has r ached a predetermined temperature.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the first igniter is electrially energizable and the second igniter is brought and kept at a predetermined temperature by the action of the combustion gases in the heater.

An additional object o: my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which. includes a combustion chamber havin juxtapQsed thereto a fluid chamber to permit the fluid in said chamber to receive the heat from said combustion chamber to accomplish the heating of the fluid in the cooling or lubricating systems of an internal combustion engine.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which includes a combustion chamber having juxtaposed thereto a fluid chamber to permit the fluid in said chamber to be heated by the combustion taking place in said combustion chamber, and in which an air chamber is juxtaposed to said fluid chamber to permit the air in said air chamber to be heated by the heated fluid in said fluid chamber.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which includes an air chamber for heating air passing therethrough and which has provided thereupon means for directing the heated air into the passenger compartment or into the engine compartment of the vehicle with which the temperature regulating apparatus is associated.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a heater for a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which includes a combustion chamber having juxtaposed thereto a coolant chamber, said coolant chamber having juxtaposed thereto an air chamber and said air chamber having juxtaposed thereto a lubricant chamber to permit the simultaneous:

heating of the coolant, air and lubricant.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a temperature regulating apparatus of the aforementioned type which can be utilized to cool the fluid in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine when the temperature.

in said cooling system rises above a predetermined norm.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for* the purpose of illustration only, and in which:.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the- Component parts of the temperature rcgulating; apparatus of my invention associated with an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the heater incorporated in the temperature regulating apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the heater of my invention; and,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the heater of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l thereof, I show an internal combustion engine lo which has associated therewith a temperature regulating apparatus [2 constructed in accordance with my invention and including a heater means l3 and a control circuit [4 therefor. The internal combustion engine n has ase sociated therewith a radiator !6 which is counected to the block of the engine o and to the cooling system thereof, not shown, by means of hose and pipe connections Il which permit heated coolant from the engine cooling system to be transmitted into the radiator at the top thereof. The lower end of the radiator !6 is connected by means of a hose [8 to the intake of a pump [9 which causes the coolant to flow through the cooling system of the internal combustion engine ID. A fan mounted upon the shaft of the pump !9 draws cooling air through the radiator !6 and propels it over the engine m.

The fuel supply for the engine is brought thereto by means of a fuel line 2| which is connected at one end to a fuel tank, not shown, and at the other end to a fuel pump 22 adapted to supply fuel to the engine o. An oil pan 23 mounted on the under side of the engine [0 serves as a reservoir for the lubricant which is used in the lubricating system of the engine. A firewall 25 divides the body of the vehicle into an engine compartment 25 and a passenger compartment 21, the internal combustion engine IO being located in the engine compartment 26 on one side of the firewall 25.

Secured to the engine compartment side of the firewall 25 and thus located in the engine compartment 26 is the heater means |3 of the` temperature regulating apparatus I2. The heater means I 3 includes a heater 30 which is se-` cured to the engine compartment side of the firewall 25 by means of a mounting block 3! having rigidly attached thereto and integrally formed therewith mounting flanges 32 which permit the heater to be secured to the firewall 25 by the use of appropriate fasteners.

The heater 30 includes a first end wall 34 which is of circular configuration and has integrally formed therewith an annular mounting boss 35 provided with external threads 36 which areadapted to be received by the threaded intericr of'a recess 3.1. formed in the mountin block 3l The, first end wall 34 is for-med of steel or similar material adapted to resistthe high temperatures which are encountered in the heater 30, and includes an annular shoulder 38 which is adaptedto have fitted thereupon one end of acylindrical jacket. 40 formed of steel or similarmaterial and dening in con-junction with a secand end plate 42 having an annular shoulder 43., upon which the opposite end of the jacket' 40415 mcunted. a, combustion chamber 45. Positioned in the combustion chamber 45 is a sub.- stantially cylindrical guide. member 41 formed of ceramic orother refractcry material adapted to resist the high temperatures encountered in the combustion chamber45. The guide member 41. is designed. to channel theproducts of com-. bustion in order that complete combustion will. ,4

bust o passage. 49 into a piuralityof elongated longitudinal channe1s53 to secure the more. eiiective distribution and combustion of the combustion gases.

Formed upon and integrally with the exterior is formed is b ought to a high temperature which' causes the complete combustion of the gases of combustion as they pass therethrough and when the gaes of. combustionreach the, second combustion passage 50\ and ,the channelst, there-y of, th y re prop rly' distributed about the inte.,- rior of the jacket 40 for a, purpose which will be. described in greater detail: hereinafter.

In order to insure the. proper: transfer of* the gases of combustion from' the longitudinal chan-. nels 53 of the first combustion passage 49 to the longitudinal channels 55 of the second combustion passage 50 the first' end plate 34 isi provided with a dished inner surface 56 'which serves to distribute the gases of' combustion equally among the longitudinal channels 55 of the second combustionpassage 50.

Formed in the second end plate 42 and located eentrally thereo is a cylindricai recess 58, the end plat 42 having an aperture 59 communicating therewith in which. is positioned a. first. igniter means 60 exemplified by a glow plug 6| which is connected in the control circuit l4 in:

a manner, which will be described in greater detail below. The glow plug 6l ofthe igniter means 607 has juxtaposed thereto a second igniter means;

62 constituted by a` first refractory cylindrical sleeve 63 fitted over the outer surface of the low plug. and a second refractory cylindrical sleeve 64 spaced therefrom and positioned adjacent to,

and spaced from the wallof the cylindricalrecess 58 to denne an annular uel passage 65 there: between. 4 r

communicating with the mel passag 654 and formed in thesecond end wal1`42 are apertures` 61 which are adapted to receive fuel jets 68, which constitute a portion of the fuel' supply, means 69 of the temperature regulating appa ratus, which will be described in greater detail below. Disposed betweenthe inner wall. of the recess 58 and the exterior of the second refracs tory sleeve 64 of the second. igniter means 62, is an annular baffle 10 which is positioned adja.-

. cent the end of the annular iuel passage, 65 and,

which' serves to retard the flow of. ignted fuelinto the combustion chamber 45 to insure the complete igniton of, the fuel bythe first Ignite!! means460 or the second igniter means62. A gan:

?H defined by the inner circumference, of, the

bame 10 permits the passageof the ignited fuei from the fuel passage 6.5 into the combustion chamber 45.,

Formed in the second end wall 42 and com- ;municating with the interier of the cylindrical:

recess 58, and more particularly! the fuel pas sage 65 defined by the first and second refracr tory sleeves 63 and 64, are air passages 12 which.- are adapted to receive air from an air maniold q 7.3, said manifold being mounted in a manifold head 14 which is threadedlysecured to the: outer end of the second end wall 4'2.

A plurality of exhaust; passages 15 is formen in the second end wall 42, said exhaust passages 15 communicating with the channels 54 of the second combustion passage 50. An annular ex haust passage 16 is formed in the manifold head 14 and communicates with the ends of the; exhaust passages 15 formed in the second end: wall 42` serving to discharge the exhaust gass into an exhaust pipe 'lsa which in turma dis -V charges the exhaust gases from the combustion. chamber 45 to atmosphere. e

Mounted upon shoulders 'IT and 18 formed respectively upon the first end wall 34 and the' second end wall 42 is a cylindrical jacket '|9. formed of steel or similar material which, in conjunction with the exterior of the cylindrical jacket 40, constitutes a coolant chamber 80 which is adapted to receive coolant from the cooling system of the internal combustion engine. o to` permit the heating of thecoolant in the coolant' chamber 80, by heat transmitted from the com,- bustion chamber 45 through the jacket 40 of said combustion chamber. The coolant chamber has accoolant inlet opening 8! to which is connected a pipe 82 to which is, in turn, secured.

a tubing 83 connected with the tubing !8 of the radiator to permit the coolant to pass from the cooling system into the coolant chamber 80to he heated therein. A coolant outlet. opening 84 is formed in the jacket 19 at, the upper side of the coolant chamber 80 to permit the passage of heated coolant from the coolantchamber 80 through a pipe 85 attached to the jacket 19 and a tubing 86 which is attached to the cooling system of the internal combustion engine i0.. In

this manner, coolant from the internal combustion engine !0 may be circulated through the y coolant chamber 80 to permit the heating of the contact with the jacket '!9 which, in turn, is heated by contact with the heated coolant in the coolant chamber 89. An air inlet opening 92 is formed in the jacket 90 and has connected thereto a pipe 93 which is connected to a tubing 94 which communicates with an electrically operated blower 95, thus providing a constant flow of air through the air chamber 9! to provide a source of heated air for the heating of the passenger compartment 2'! or the engine compartment 26 of the vehicle, in a manner which will be described in greater detail below. The blower 95 is also connected by means of a pipe 96 and a tubing 91 to the air manifold '!3 which Supplies .a constant flow of air through the air passages '!2 to the fuel passage 65.

Formed in the first end wall 34 and communicating with the interior of the air chamber 9! is an air passage 99 through which air from the interior of the air chamber 9! may pass into the engine compartment of the vehicle to heat the same. Formed in the jacket 99 adjacent the air passage 99 is an air outlet !el which communicates with the air chamber 9! and which is adapt ed to permit the passage of air therefrom through a Conduit !99 into the passenger compartment 2'! to heat said compartment. To control the flow of air through the air passage 99 and the air outlet i!, air control means !62 is provided, said air control means consisting of a cylindrical baffle plate !03 rotatably Secured to the first end plate 34 by means of screws !94 positioned in slots !95 formed in the bafile plate !93. A first air outlet opening !01 is formed in the cylindrical bafiie plate !93 and is adapted to register with the air passage 99 formed in the first end plate 34 to permit the passage of air from the interior of the air chamber 9! into the engine compartment 26 of the vehicle. A second air outlet opening !98, Fig. 3, is formed in the baie plat !93 and adapted to register with the air outlet opening ID! in the jacket 90 to permit the passage of air from the interior of the air chamber 9! into the conduit !09 to permit the discharge of said air into the passenger compartment 21. A control handle is Secured to the rotatable bale p late !03 to permit the rotation thereof to cause either the first air outlet opening !97 or the second air outlet opening !68 to be juxtaposed to the air outlet passage 99 or the air outet opening ID! to accomplish the heating of the engine or passenger compartment. Of course, the bafiie plate !83 may be so adjusted by means of the handle !9 that warm air from the air chamber 9! will be simultaneously clischarged into the passenger compartment and into the engine compartment. I-Iowever, when the vehicle is inactive and there is no need for heating the passenger compartment, the entire flow of warm air can be discharged into the engine compartment to supplement the action of the heater in heating the coolant in the cooling system of the engine.

Although the chamber 8& has been designated as the coolant chamber adapted to heat the coolant from the cooling system of the internal combustion engine !9, it is not intended that its use be limited to the heating of the coolant since if the heater under discussion were incorporated in an aircraft having an air cooled engine the chamber 80 would be utilized to heat the oil used in the lubricating system of the aircraft engine.

The control circuit !4 of the temperature regulating apparatus !2 includes a power source indicated as a battery !!2 grounded at !!3 and connected by a lead !!4 to a nanual switch !5 which, when open, deenergizes the control circuit !4 and prevents the energization of the heater means !3. When closed, the switch !!5.permits the passage of current from the battery !!2 through the lead !4 into a lead !6 which transmits current to a first control means ll'! constituted by a thermostatically actuated switch !!8 which is responsive to the temperature of the coolant in the tubing !8 and which is adapted, when the control circuit is closed by the switch !!5 to automatically close the control circuit !4 in response to the falling of the temperature of the coolant below and to automatically open the circuit with the rising of the temperature of the coolant above a predetermined norm.

The thermostatic switch !!8 is connected by means of a lead !9 to a second control means !20 which is exemplified as a double thermostatic switch !2l having a first pair of contacts !22 and a second pair of contacts !23. The first pair of contacts !22 is a normally closed pair and the second pair of contacts !23 is a normally open pair, the lead !!9 from the thermostatc switch !!8 being connected through the normally closed pair !22 by means of a tap !24. The end of the lead !!9 is connected to the normally open pair !29. Current thus flows through the normally closed pair !22 of the thermostatic switch !2l through a lead !25 to the glow plug 6!. Thus, when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling system of the internal combustion engine !0 drops below a predetermined temperature subsequent to the closing of the manual switch !!5, the thermostatic switch !!3 will close to permit the passage oi current therethrough to the thermostatic switch !2 i, the current passing through the closed pair of contacts !22 into the lead !25 and thence to the glow plug Gl. The glow plug 6! is ignited and when it reaches a predetermined temperature, a third control means !26, exemplified as a thermostatic switch !21, which is normally open, closes causing current to flow through a lead !28 to an elect'ic fuel pump !29 which is connected to the fuel line 2! by means of a T-connection !30 and a tubing !31. The fuel pump !29 is connected to the fuel nozzles 68 by means of tubing !32 and thus Supplies the fuel to the heater after the glow plug 6! has reached a predetermined temperature.

Simultaneously with the activation of the fuel pump !29 of the fuel supply system 69, the blower is activated through a lead !33 connected thereto to cause the blower 95 to force air through the tubing 98 into the fuel passage '65 to volitilize the fuel passing from the fuel jets 68 to increase the combustibility of the fuel and facilitate the igniticn thereof by the glow plug 61.

When the second igniter means 62 as constituted by the first refractory sleeve 63 and the second refractory sleeve 6 4 reaches a predetermined temperature which is suflicient to maintain combustion of the fuel injected into the fuel passage 65 by the jets 68, the first pair of contacts !22 of the thermostat !2! opens to inactivate the glow plug GL Simultaneously with the inactivation of the glow plug 6! by the op ing of the first pair of contacts !22, the second pair of contacts !23 is closed to permit current to continue to flow to the electric fuel pump !29 through the lead !28 and the blower 95 through the lead !33.

By the provision of the control circuit !4 the heater 30 is automatically energized by the clos ure of the thermostatic switch !8 when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling system of the engine l falls below a predetermined norm. Upon the closure of the thermostatic switch ll8, the glow plug 6l is ignited. When the glow plug Bl reaches a predetermined temperature, the third control means !26, as constituted by the thermostat !27, closes to energize the fuel pump !29 and the blower 95. Subsequently, when the second igniter means 52 has reached a predetermined temperature, the first pair of contacts !22 of the thermostatic switch l2| is opened to deenergize the glow plug 6! to permit combustion to be accomplished by the second igniter means 62.

A manual switch HI connected to the battery l|2 by the lead l|4 is, in turn, connected to the blower 95 by a lead illa. When the coolant in the cooling system of the engine becomes too hot, the switch l ll may be closed to energize the blower 95 and to force air through the air chamber 80 to reduce the temperature of the coolant.

Thus the heater can also be used to reduce the temperature of the .overheated coolant.

-hown in Fig. 4 of the drawings is an .alternative embodiment of the heater of the temperature regulatng apparatus which is adapted to simultaneously accomplish the temperature regulation of the coolant and lubricant of the engine e. In the description of this embodiment, the portions thereof which are identical to those of the previously discussed embodiment are indicated by identical reference numerals. The heater !35 has a combustion chamber 45 defined by a jacket 40 enclosing a ceramic guide member 41 which is identical in design and function to the ceramic guide member 41 of the previously discussed embodiment.

Another jacket !36 is spaced from and encompasses the first jacket 40. The annular space between the jacket 40 and the jacket |36 is 'divided bypa'titions !31 and !38 to provide a coolant chamber I 39 and a lubricant chamber 148. The coolant chamber !39 is provided with an inlet opening MI and an outlet opening !42 adapted to permit the passage thereinto and therefrom of coolant which is heated by the heat transmitted from the gases of combustion through the jacket 40. The lubricant chamber 14!! has an inlet opening !43 and an outlet opening !44 connected thereto adapted to permit the passage through the lubricant chamber !40 (of lubricant which is heated by contact with the outer surface of the jacket 43 which is, in turn, heated by the combustion gases within the combustion chamber 45. The inlet opening '[43 of the lubricant chamber !40 is connected by tubing M'to 'the oil pan 23 of the engine while the outlet opening !44 of the lubricant chamber 140 is connected by means of a tubing !41 to the oil pan 23 adjacent the top thereof. A thermostatic valve !48 located in the tubing [46 is adapted to close to prevent the passage of lubricant therethrough into the chamber !40 when the lubricant has reached a predetermined temperature. Of course, a thermostatic switch similar to the thermostatic switch l|8 could be incorporated in the tubing |46 in place of the thermostat !48 to' cause the energization of the temperature regulating apparatus by the temperature drop of the lubricant or when 'the temperature regulating apparatus is used for regulating the temperature of the lubricant only.

Another embodiment of the heater of the temperature regulating apparatus is exemplified as heater !49 in Fig. of the drawings. Portions of the heater !49 which are identical with the portions of the previously discussed embodiments 10 are identified by identcal 'reference numerals. In this embodiment, the coolant chamber '80 is juxtaposed to and' encompasses the combustion chamber 45. Spaced from the jacket 19 defining the coolant chamber is a jacket !58 which 'encompasses the jacket 19 and defines a lubricant chamber IS! which completely surrounds the coolant chamber 80. The air chamber 9l, in turn, completely surrounds the lubricant chamber ll. Inlet and outlet openings |4| and 142 are provided for the coolant chamber 80 and inlet and outlet openings !43 and [44 are provided for the lubricant chamber !51. By the utilization of the heater 149, the temperatures of the coolant and lubricant of the internal combustion engine o may be simultaneously regulated, the heat from the combustion chamber being transferred in turn from the coolant to the lubricant and thence to the air.

Although I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention for the purpose of illustrating the Construction and the mode of operation ,thereof, it is ob-vious that changs,-aiterations and modifications 'may be made in the specific details of said embodiments and I, therefore, do not desire to be limited to such specific details but prefer, rather, to be afiorded the'full scope of the following claims. x

I claim as my invention: 1. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine in a vehicle having a passenger Compartment, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater having a passenger compartment outlet for heated air and a fluid chamber in continuous communication with said cooling system; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said circuit including voluntary control means adapted to per: mit the energizing of said circuit and first control means responsive to the temperature of said fluid in said system for automatically energiz'ing and deenergizing said heater subsequent to the energizing of said control circuit by said voluntary control means. p

2. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in :the cooling system or lubricating system of a Vehicular engine in a vehicle having a passenger compartment, the combination of: a heater for ,said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater having a passenger compartment outlet for heated air and a fluid chamber in continuous communication with said cooling system; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including voluntary control means adapted to energize and deenergize said control circuit and first thermostatic controlmeans responsive to the temperature of said fluid in said system for automatically energizing and deenergizing said heater subsequently to the energization of said control circuit by said voluntary control means.

3. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected toi said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having an igniter mounted therein and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said chamber for ignition by said igniter; and a control circuit for energizing and deenergizing said heater, said control circuit including first control means for automatically energizing and deenergizing said heater and second control means for automatically deenergizing said igniter.

4. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having a first igniter and a second igniter mounted therein and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said chamber for ignition by said'first and second igniters; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of said heater, said control circuit including first control means responsive to temperature variations of said fluid in said system for energizing said first igniter and second control means responsive to temperature variations in said second igniter for deenergizing said first igniter and permitting said second igniter to accomplish the ignition of said fuel.

5. In a temperature regulating apparatus 'or regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of a heater for said fluid mounted in the vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having a first igniter and a second igniter mounted therein, said second igniter being juxtaposed to said first igniter, and uel supply means for supplying uel to said chamber for ignition by said igniters; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of said heater, said control circuit including first control means responsive to temperature variations of the fluid in said system for energizing said 'first igniter, and second control means responsive to temperature variations in said second igniter for deenergizing said first igniter to permit said second igniter to accomplish the ignition of said fuel.

6. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having an electrically heated first igniter and a second combustion gas heated igniter mounted therein and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said chamber for ignition by said igniters; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of said heater, said circuit including first control means responsive to temperature variations in the fluid in said system for energizing said first igniter and second control means responsive to temperature variations in said second igniter for deenergizng said first igniter and permitting said second igniter to accomplish the ignition of said fuel.

7. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having a first igniter and a second igniter mounted therein and fuel supply means io:- supplying uel to said chamber for ignition by said igniters; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including first thermostatic control means responsive to temperature variations in said fluid in said system for energizing said first igniter and second thermostatic control mean:) responsive to temperature variations in said seoond igniter for deenergizng said first igniter to permit said second igniter to accomplish the ignition of said fuel.

8. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle and connected to said engine for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater including a combustion chamber having an igniter mounted therein and uel supply means for supplying fuel to said chamber for ignition by said igniter, said fuel supply means including pump means for pumping uel through said fuel supply means; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means in said system responsive to temperature variations in said fluid for energizing said igniter and control means responsive to temperature variations in said igniter for energizing said pump to supply fuel to said combustion chamber for ignition by said igniter.

9. In a temperature regulating appa'atus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine in a vehicle having a passenger Compartnent, the combination of: a heater for said fluid mounted in said vehicle for heating said fluid to a predetermined temperature, said heater having a combustion chamber With an igniter mounted therein, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber and a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and continually in communication With the cooling system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid, said heater having a heated air outlet duct communicating With said passenger compartment; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control cir-cuit including control means responsive to temperature variations of said fluid in said system for automatically energizing and deenergizing said heater.

10. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to and encompassing said combustion chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid; and a control circuit for governing the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means adapted to energize and deenergize said heater in accordance with fluctuations in the temperature of the fluid in said system.

11. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of a vehicular "13 engine, the combination of: a heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said 'combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, said fuel supply means including pump means for pumping fuel into the interier of said chamber, and a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and 'connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from'said combustion chamber 'to said fluid; and a control circuit 'for regulating the "operationbf said heater, said control circuit including control means responsive to temperature 'variations in said fluid for energizing said igniter andcontrol means resepon'sive to' temperacombustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid, and an air chamber juxtaposed to said fluid chamber for transferring heat from said fluid to said air; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means responsive to temperature variations in the fluid in said system for energizing and deenergizing said heater.

13. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of an engine mounted in a vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the combination of: a heater, said heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, uel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid, an air chamber juxtaposed to said fluid chamber for transferring heat from said fluid to said air, and means on said air chamber for alternatively directing said heated air into either said passenger or engine compartment; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means responsive to temperature variations of the fluid in said system for automatically energizing and deenergizing said heater.

,14. In a temperature regulating apparatus for reg'ulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling' system or lubricating system of an engine mounted in a vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the combination of: a heater, said heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid, an air chamber juxtaposed to said fluid chamber for transferring heat from said fluid to said air, said air chamber having an air inlet and first and second air outlets, said first air outlet communicating with said passenger compartment and said second air outlet communicating With said engine compartment, and air controlling means as- Sociated with said air chamber adapted to cause said air to flow alternatively through either said first air outlet or said second air outlet; and *a control circuit for regulating the operation of 'said heater, said control circuit including control means for energi'zing and deenergizing said heat-,er in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fluid in the s'ystm of 'said engine.

15. In a temperature regulating apparatus'for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of an engine mountedin a vehicle, the combination of a heat- -er, said heater having a combustion chamber,

an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion' chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said `combustion chamber to said fluid, an'air chamber juxtaposed to said fluid chamber, said 'air chamber 'having an air inlet connected thereto, and an air blower connected to said inlet; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means for energizing and deenergizingsaid heater and control means responsive to temperature variations in said igniter for actuating said blower.

16. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling system or lubricating system of an engine mounted in a vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the combination of: a heater, said heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, air supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a fluid chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said fluid, an air chamber juxtaposed to said fluid chamber for transferring heat from said fluid to said air, and an air blower connected to said air supply means of said combustion chamber and to said air chamber; and a control circuit for con trolling the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means responsive to temperature variations of the fluid in said system for energizing and deenergizing said heater and control means responsive to temperature variations in said igniter for energizing said blower to force air into aid combustion chamber and into said air cham- 17. In a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating the temperature of a fluid in the cooling and lubricating systems of a vehicular enine, the combination of: a heater mounted in said vehicle, said heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a coolant chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the cooling system of said engine t transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said coolant, and a lubr icant chamber juxtaposed to said coolant chamber and connected to the lubricating system of said engine to transmit heat from said coolant to said lubricant; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means responsive to temperature variations of the fluid in said cooling system.

18. In a temperature regulating ap paratus for 15 regulating the temperature of the coolant in the cooling system and of the lubricant in the lubricating system of a, vehicular engine, the combination of: a heater mounted in said vehicle, said heater having a combustion chamber, an igniter mounted in said combustion chamber, fuel supply means connected to said combustion chamber, a coolant chamber juxtaposed to said combustion chamber and connected to the cooling system of said engine to transmit heat from said combustion chamber to said coolant, a lubricant chamber juxtaposed to said coolant chamber and encompassing said coolant chamber to permit said lubricant to be hea ted by said coolant in said coolant chamber; and a control circuit for regulating the operation of said heater, said control circuit including control means adapted to energize and deenergze said hearter in response to temperature variations in said coolant.

CHARLES M. BACKUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,529,906 Morris Mar. 17, 1925 1,613,347 Ermatinger Jan. 4, 1927 2,046,812 Danuser et al July '7, 1936 2,074,168 Danuser et al Mar. 16, 1937 2,257,755 Moric et al Oct. 7, 1941 2,300,011 Rose Oct. 27, 1942 2,405,144 Holthouse Aug. 6, 1946 2,405,145 Holthouse Aug. 6, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 454393 Great Britain Oct. 9, 1936 .545,957 Great Britain June 19, 1942 

